Former Durham chief constable will lead inquiry - Theresa May demanding a 'swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel'

Tough words: Home Secretary Theresa May has announced a new Police investigation into Hillsborough

There will be a new police investigation into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in which 96 innocent people lost their lives.

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced the decision today – former Durham Chief Constable Jon Stoddart will lead the new inquiry, according to Press Association reports.

The PA report continues: The move comes after a damning report from the Hillsborough independent panel laid bare a cover-up which attempted to shift the blame for the tragedy on to its victims.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."

Mr Stoddart will be able to recruit investigators and staff to his team, but he will not be allowed to employ officers or former officers with any prior connection to the Hillsborough disaster.

He is also unable to recruit any officers or former officers who worked in the West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside police forces.

"The complex and multi-faceted investigations into the Hillsborough disaster are taking shape.

"The IPCC has been making progress in laying the foundations for our independent investigation into the aftermath and the future investigation into the tragic deaths of 96 people.

"The appointment of Mr Stoddart to lead the investigation into the deaths is a crucial step. His investigation will be into a wide range of agencies outside of the IPCC's remit, but, in order to ensure independence from the police service, we will be managing the element which will look at the actions of police officers in relation to the deaths of the 96 men, women and children. This means that the IPCC will have direction and control of this part of the investigation.

"The two investigations will be closely integrated and will be based in the new offices the IPCC has secured in Warrington. They will share a major incident room with full access to the underlying documentation, and will offer a single point of contact for liaison with the families.

"This is not going to be a quick and easy process. But we now have a clear path ahead, with all the investigative and prosecutorial bodies working in a co-ordinated way to complete the full picture for the families of those who died, those who were injured and those who were traumatised by the terrible events at Hillsborough."

Families react to new police investigation

When asked about the new police investigation, Trevor Hicks, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said he was encouraging all sections of the investigation to work together.

The decision to lead the new investigation was announced while Mr Hicks and the other friends and families of the victims were inside the Royal Courts of Justice.

He said: "We were aware it was a possibility, but we hadn't heard it said yet.

"We've said all along that we wanted joined-up writing, if you like, we want them all to work together. There's a common cause and that's justice for the families and how we get that."

He added: "Obviously the mechanics of that will take a fair bit of working out, and we know that we're in for months if not years of hard work. But we've been here before; we're not going anywhere."

Mr Hicks' ex-wife, Jenni, who lost their teenage daughters Sarah and Victoria in the disaster, said "accountability has to come now".

She added: "After the truth we had on September 12, it has to be followed up with accountability, and I think today is the first step of that, which is brilliant."